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Check out Lea Ann Slotkin’s Artwork

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Lea Ann Slotkin.

Lea Ann, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’m a Midwesterner by birth; a Southern transplant. Growing up on a farm in Illinois, I was surrounded by, well . . . corn. I am the youngest of five kids, so when you combine lots of imagination with country living, you get a kid who has a love of creating. All that is to say, I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t making something. I couldn’t resist a good paint-by-numbers on black velvet. I studied art in college and spent the bulk of my career as a visual merchandiser for women’s fashion companies while painting on the side. In 2015, I took the leap and started painting full-time. I hired a coach who helped me, not just with the practical stuff of leaping but more importantly how I was THINKING about the leap. I fell in love with the coaching process and completed my coaching certification in 2017.

I have participated in several art festivals. I have gallery representation and my work has been featured on a prime time, network television show. As a coach, I teach painting workshops online and in person. Most days you will find me painting in my beloved studio, coaching other creatives on how to connect the dots, and spending time with my pretty amazing family.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I work with acrylic paint and mixed media, more specifically pastel, graphite, ink, vintage ephemera, bits of things that evoke a sense of nostalgia. I build my final vision from the ground up, which means I spend the good part of my process on background layers, I have been told this gives my work a lot of energy and visual excitement. I love leaving little hints of magic peeking through; to leave space for wonder and reflection about one’s own story. I love color and don’t shy away from it. I think my many years in fashion helped refine my palette and pattern mixing, and for that I am grateful.

My go-to subject matter is mostly nature-inspired. You can find some very ‘interesting’ childhood paintings in my parents’ rural home: mostly botanical or floral still life’s. I am inspired by nature and how individual interpretation is as unique as a fingerprint. I find that endlessly fascinating.

Most people describe my work as ‘joyful’ and I am A-OK with that.

What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
Wow, this is a great and tough question. This is not the sexiest answer but I would say the biggest gift artists can give themselves is discipline, especially in the beginning when no one sees your work. Keep creating. Make a schedule and stick to it even when it feels super discouraging. Picasso said, “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”

Also, commit to the thousand little steps nobody sees; they add up to a giant leap. Say yes to all the early opportunities that come your way. Keep showing up and doing the next right thing.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is featured at Wild Oats and Billy Goats gallery on the square in Decatur. I will be participating in the upcoming emerging artist show at Anne Irwin Fine Art in Buckhead from August 3 – September 1. You can find my work on my website, www.leaannslotkin.com, at Little Tree Studios in Avondale Estates, on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Photo of artist: fromthehipatlanta

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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